Kingsman: The Secret Service

Cast: Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Sofia Boutella and Michael Caine.

Director: Matthew Vaughn

Release Date: 2014

Running Time: 2hrs 3 minutes

Genre: Action/Comedy

Rating: 15

Format: DVD

Synopsis:

Kingsman, a spy organisation recruit a troubled yet promising street kid into the agency's competitive training programme, just as a global threat emerges from a psychopathic genius.

Eggy's father was killed when he was a young boy, Harry Hart (Firth) presented the boy with a necklace that held a number as a gift, a number to call if he was ever in trouble. Twenty years later Eggsy (Egerton) finds himself in a spot of trouble, however the man on the other end of the phone wasn't exactly who he was expecting. A secret agent from Kingsman, a top spy organisation held in London. Following in his father's footsteps Eggsy joins the programme along with seven others, will he however become Britain's best secret agent, just in time to take down psychopathic billionaire Valentine?

Starring newcomer Taron Egerton as Eggsy, a gifted and troubled teenager who is yet to learn of his skills. Egerton delivers a fantastic performance, displaying magnificent characterisation. Eggys must pass numerous amounts of tasks before becoming a spy, the top of his class for every task, tension soon forms amongst the others on the programme. Eggsy soon forms an excellent friendship with Harry Hart (Firth), Firth as always delivers an excellent performance, his character has the perfect balance of mystery and humour, with a terrific deadpan expression.

Samuel L Jackson is terrific as bad guy billionaire Valentine, who has designed his fair share of crazy technology. Jackson is a remarkably versatile actor, he makes the perfect bad guy. Sofia Boutella stars as Valentine's sidekick Gazelle, a woman with athletic prosthetic looking feet with sharp blades.  Although her character doesn't necessarily talk much, her character still holds great significance to the story.

The storyline is a cross between "James Bond" and "Mission Impossible" with a nice twist of it's own. Written terrifically by screenwriter Jane Goldman and director Matthew Vaughn. A fine balance of humour and action. Director Matthew Vaughn's idea to speed up action sequences are great. It allows what would normally be quite a serious scene to be seen in a more comical manner. Brilliantly shot with a great array of production design including some pretty cool looking gadgets. Fantastically British with an excellent soundtrack! If James Bond is a little bit too much for you, this may be right up your street!

5/5 stars